Washing brush for automatic motor vehicle washing systems

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a washing brush for automatic motor vehicle washing systems, comprising a cylindric body on the side outer surface thereof are provided a plurality of bands defining the cleaning elements of the brush. The main feature of the invention is that the band or strip elements extend on the side surface of the cylindric body along direction which are inclined with respect to the axial direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a washing brush to be applied to washing brush assemblies in automatic systems for washing motor vehicles in general.

As is known, automatic systems for washing motor vehicles in general conventionally comprise washing brushes, which are made by coupling, in an axial direction, a plurality of brush elements which are substantially constituted by a cylindric body thereon are coupled band elements comprising cleaning elements formed of a felt or a like material, or a foamed plastics material.

With reference to the diagram shown in FIG. 1, the band elements 1, which are arranged with a substantially vertical arrangement, i.e. parallel to the axis of the cylindric body, provide a vertical discontinuous arrangement perpendicular to the brush movement direction.

In such an arrangement, the controlling motors are supplied with alternating pulses, the uneven amplitudes or values of which make difficult to hold the washing brush in a stable contact condition against the working surface therefor.

Accordingly, the contact gaps provide an objectable noise for a person inside the motor vehicle.

Moreover, it is necessary to frequently adjust the revolution number of the cleaning brush depending on the motor vehicle transiting speed, in order not to leave uncleaned regions along the motor vehicle itself.

Yet another drawback is that, during the rotation of the brush, a person can easily see the central body or tube supporting the cleaning elements, thereby the bush construction appears as a scarcely dense construction, which negatively affects the operating properties of the product.

Yet another drawback is that interspaces are inevitably formed between the several cleaning elements, with a consequent formation of contact lacking spaces on the surfaces to be washed.

Moreover, prior washing brushes generate packaging and transport problems, since it is not possible to provide the cleaning band elements in an ordered manner without bending them according to a small angle thereby frequently deforming the band materials which could render the band elements nearly unusable.

Thus, the packaging cost is inevitably very high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a washing brush, to be applied to brush assemblies in automatic systems for washing motor vehicles in general, in which the band elements can be arranged in a much more rational manner so as to eliminate possible interspaces causing contact lackings on the motor vehicle being washed, thereby improving the washing quality.

Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a washing brush in which, the number of the cleaning elements contacting the surface to be cleaned being the same, is possible to reduce the number of the band elements or assemblies to be connected to the brush central body or tube.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a washing brush in which the cleaning band elements and related terminal cords can be properly oriented thereby drastically reducing the volume of the washing brush, so as to facilitate the packaging operations.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a washing brush which, owing to its specifically designed features, is very reliable and safe in operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a washing brush for washing brush assemblies to be applied to automatic systems for washing motor vehicles in general, comprising a cylindric body on the side outer surface thereof are provided a plurality of band elements defining the cleaning elements of said washing brush, characterized in that said band elements extend on the side surface of said cylindric body along directions which are inclined with respect to the axial direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of a washing brush to be applied to washing brush assemblies of automatic systems for washing motor vehicles in general, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows a washing diagram which can be obtained by washing brushes according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a washing brush, having applied, schematically, only two band elements;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view illustrating the washing brush shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a further schematic elevation view illustrating a washing brush assembly made by axially connecting several washing brushes;

FIG. 5 is a further schematic view illustrating a band element;

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the band elements designed for reducing the packaging size thereof; and

FIG. 7 shows a dynamic operating diagram of the subject washing brush, during a motor vehicle washing operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the washing brush according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 10, comprises a cylindric body 11, of a per se known type, on the side surface thereof are provided a plurality of band elements 12.

The band elements 12, in particular, are advantageously made by using a plate-like element of a closed cell foamed material, or an open-cell foamed material or, optionally, a felt material.

The band elements 12 comprise a plurality of longitudinal slits 13, defining a plurality of strips 14, constituting the cleaning elements of the washing brush.

The main feature of the invention is that the band elements arranged on the side surface of the cylindric body 11 are inclined with respect to the axial direction of said cylindric body.

Thus, in actual practice, the band elements will assume a diagonal arrangement or position, allowing the band elements to be arranged in a very rational manner, to provide a very good distribution of the washing bristles, the number of the washing assemblies being the same.

Moreover, the slanted arrangement of the bristles, which can be coupled to the cylindric body 11 by any suitable coupling means, allows to provide a longer band element, having a length larger than that of a band element arranged in a direction parallel to the axis.

According to a preferred inclination, the band element has in average a 25% larger length.

In this connection it should be pointed out that the inclination of the band elements can be further changed, to also provide further larger lengths.

Accordingly, the amount of material being the same, the number of the band elements will be smaller, since each band element will have a width larger than the widths of the band elements arranged parallel to the axis, and accordingly perpendicularly to the motor vehicle to be washed motion direction.

Accordingly, the reduction of the number of the band elements will reduce the labor necessary for making the single components on the washing brush and for fixing them, independently from the method for carrying out the fixing operation.

Moreover, the slanted or diagonal arrangement allows the orienting of the band elements and related end strips to be offset, notwithstanding a radial effect provided by the centrifugal force.

Actually, in automatic motor vehicle washing systems, the maximum speed does not exceed 110 rpm's and the natural trend of the band elements to fall in a natural direction due to their oblique positions, allows said band elements to “close” possible spaces or gaps, in an optimum manner.

Moreover, the colored spiral obtained by adjoining different colors on the band elements would be perfectly arranged with respect to its epicycloidal pattern.

Furthermore, the slanted position of the and elements with the washing brush assembly arranged in a vertical position, in a stop condition thereof, will allow the band elements to fall in an ordered manner by automatically overlapping one another, thereby the brush assembly can be packaged with a comparatively small size, without damaging the product in its packaged condition.

Thus, by greatly reducing the packaging requirements, it would be possible to control in an optimum manner the required packaging volumes, with a reduction of the transport expenses of about 300%.

Moreover, the slanted arrangement of the band elements provides an upward or downward directed entraining effect thereon, since their natural opening movement is not perpendicular to the axis of the cylindric body the band elements are connected to.

From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, the slanted or inclined arrangement of the band elements provides great advantages both from a functional and from a production standpoint.

The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the invention.

Moreover, all of the constructional details, can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are compatible to the intended application, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements. 

1. A washing brush for washing brush assemblies to be applied to automatic systems for washing motor vehicles in general, comprising a cylindric body having a central longitudinal axis and a side cylindric outer surface, characterized in that on said cylindric outer surface are defined a plurality of separated adjoining diagonal seats having a length smaller than the diameter of said cylindric body, each for receiving fixedly therein a cleaning band element, that said separated seats are inclined with respect to said central longitudinal axis, and that with said cylindric body in a vertical and non driven condition thereof, each said band element will fall so as to overlap on an adjoining like band element.
 2. A washing brush, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each said band element comprises an elongated substantially rectangular flat body having an end portion thereof fixedly restrained in a respective said seat of said cylindric body, each said band element being so longitudinally slit or cut as to define a plurality of adjoining substantially flat and parallel cleaning bristles, said bristles having different lengths.
 3. A washing brush, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjoining strips of the band elements have different colors, said colors defining a perfect epicycloidal color pattern. 